Electromagnetically Switchable Valve Heat Dissipation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solenoid valves face challenges in reducing mechanical and thermal loads during operation, which affects their lifespan and production costs, particularly in fast-switching applications where short switching times and high frequencies are required.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a valve cartridge with an electromagnet fully housed within the valve, featuring a heat transfer surface and radially expanding circumferential shoulders for efficient heat dissipation, along with axially spaced circumferential grooves for hydrostatic and hydrodynamic force balance, reducing friction and dynamic flow forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the electromagnet is mounted axially in line with the valve piston on the valve housing, then the valve structure is simple and compact, but the heat dissipation is insufficient leading to thermal loads affecting lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal loadVSAvoidvalve lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electromagnet from its conventional axial mounting position and relocates it to a lateral mounting position on the valve housing. This separation allows the electromagnet to be positioned independently for optimal heat dissipation, removing the thermal constraint imposed by the axial mounting configuration while preserving the valve's functional integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional axial mounting to two-dimensional lateral mounting on the valve housing surface. This dimensional change provides additional spatial freedom for heat dissipation design, allowing the electromagnet to be positioned in a location that optimizes thermal management without compromising valve performance or compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Speed

If fast-switching solenoid valves are designed with short switching times, then control dynamics are improved, but mechanical and thermal loads increase reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidvalve reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful thermal effect of rapid switching into a beneficial feature by designing the electromagnet with lateral mounting that exposes larger surface area to the surrounding medium. The heat generated during fast switching is now efficiently dissipated through the lateral mounting configuration, transforming what was previously a reliability-reducing factor into a manageable characteristic that supports high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If the valve is designed for digital hydraulics application, then control precision is improved, but the required installation space and heat dissipation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral mounting of the electromagnet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the compact valve body required for digital hydraulics applications, provides enhanced heat dissipation surface area, and preserves the precise control characteristics. This multi-functional design approach allows the valve to meet the space constraints of digital hydraulics while accommodating the thermal management requirements of high-speed switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration extends the valve's lifespan by minimizing thermal loads, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables faster switching times due to optimized heat transfer and force balance, making it suitable for high-frequency applications in digital hydraulics.

Implementation Method 1

A solenoid valve is a valve actuated by an electromagnet, which is typically mounted axially in line with a valve piston or valve body on the valve housing. The electromagnet attracts or repels a magnetic armature, mechanically coupled to the valve piston/body, against the preload force of a spring.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The design incorporates a valve cartridge with an electromagnet fully housed within the valve, featuring a heat transfer surface and radially expanding circumferential shoulders for efficient heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2516907B1Electromagnetically switchable valve for installation in an installation block
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2516907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2516907B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2516907B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve, comprising a valve slide (2), which is supported in an axially slidable manner in a valve bore formed in a valve housing (1), and an electromagnetic actuator assembly for operating the valve slide, preferably by pulling the valve slide. According to the invention, the valve slide (2) has control windows in the form of at least one circumferential groove, which interacts with control edges formed by axially spaced circumferential grooves in the valve bore for opening and closing the valve.